MOORESVILLE, N.C., July 11 (Nationwide Times) — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled about 554,780 Kobalt 24V and 48V yard power tools because their USB-C rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can short-circuit and catch fire if they are charged while still inserted in the tool.
The recall covers a wide range of products sold at Lowe’s stores nationwide and on Lowes.com, including string trimmers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, chainsaws, pruning saws, power cleaners and bristle brush kits, according to the CPSC.
What is the hazard?
Lithium-ion batteries store a lot of energy in a small space. That makes them useful in cordless tools, but also means they can become dangerous if they are damaged, overheated or short-circuited.
In this recall, the CPSC said the problem is tied to charging the batteries through their USB-C port while the batteries remain in the yard tool. That setup can cause the battery to short-circuit, creating a fire hazard.
Greenworks Tools, the company that imported the recalled products, told the CPSC it had received 34 reports of batteries smoking, sparking or catching fire. No injuries or property damage had been reported in the sources reviewed by the commission.
Which products are included?
The recall applies to Kobalt yard tools with certain USB-C rechargeable batteries in 3.0Ah, 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah, 6.0Ah and 8.0Ah sizes. The CPSC said the products were sold from January 2026 through May 2026.
The importer is Greenworks North America LLC, doing business as Greenworks Tools, of Mooresville, North Carolina. The products were manufactured in China and Vietnam.
What should owners do now?
The CPSC says consumers should stop charging the recalled batteries through the USB-C port while the batteries are inserted in the tools. Greenworks Tools is offering a free replacement battery without a USB-C port, along with a charger adapter, an updated product manual, a warning label and a prepaid shipping label to return the recalled battery.
Owners of the affected tools can use the recall information to check whether their battery is included and to arrange the replacement through Greenworks Tools.
Why does this recall matter?
This recall is a reminder that charging design matters as much as battery capacity. A USB-C port can make a battery easier to charge, but if the charging method creates a short-circuit risk, the convenience comes with a safety problem.
For consumers, the key step is simple: check the battery, stop using the recalled charging setup and follow the company’s replacement instructions.
